In 1970, five musicians from different backgrounds converged on a single address at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, creating a volatile mixture that would become the most successful American hard rock band in history. Steven Tyler, who had been drumming and singing backup in a group called Chain Reaction, refused to play drums in the new formation, insisting on being the frontman. He joined forces with Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton, who had been playing together in the Jam Band, along with drummer Joey Kramer and guitarist Ray Tabano. The group's early days were defined by a chaotic lifestyle where they spent afternoons watching Three Stooges reruns and getting high, a period that would later be immortalized in their name. Kramer proposed the name Aerosmith after hearing Harry Nilsson's album Aerial Ballet, which featured a circus performer jumping from a biplane, though his bandmates initially thought he was referring to a Sinclair Lewis novel. The band's first gig took place on the 6th of November 1970 at Nipmuc Regional High School in Mendon, Massachusetts, marking the beginning of a journey that would see them evolve from local club acts to global superstars. The dynamic between Tyler and Perry, who would later be dubbed the Toxic Twins, was forged in this crucible of excess and creativity, setting the stage for a career defined by both monumental success and self-destructive behavior.
Rocks, Drugs, and Departures
By the mid-1970s, Aerosmith had established themselves as international stars with the release of Toys in the Attic in 1975 and Rocks in 1976, albums that are now cited as influential by bands ranging from Guns N' Roses to Metallica. However, the very excesses that fueled their creative output began to consume them, leading to a period of internal conflict and substance abuse that nearly destroyed the group. The title track of their 1977 album Draw the Line charted just shy of the Top 40, but the recording process was marred by the band's drug abuse, and their performances began to suffer. Tyler later claimed he had spent $64 million on drugs, a figure Perry dismissed as an exaggeration, yet the reality of their addiction was undeniable. The situation reached a breaking point in 1979 when Perry's wife, Elissa, threw a glass of milk at Tom Hamilton's wife, Terry, during a backstage altercation at a World Series of Rock festival in Cleveland. Following this incident, Perry left the band, taking some of his music with him, and was replaced by Richie Supa and later Jimmy Crespo. The band's drug issues continued to escalate, culminating in Tyler collapsing on stage during a 1980 show in Portland, Maine, and a serious motorcycle accident in 1980 that left him hospitalized for two months. Brad Whitford, who had replaced Ray Tabano in 1971, also left the band in 1981 to form a duo with Derek St. Holmes, leaving Aerosmith without two of its core guitarists. The album Rock in a Hard Place, released in 1982, failed to match their previous commercial successes, and the band found themselves playing smaller venues, struggling to maintain the momentum they had built in the 1970s.
The band's fortunes began to turn in 1984 when Joe Perry and Brad Whitford returned to Aerosmith, reuniting the classic lineup that had been fractured by drug addiction and personal conflicts. The reunion was marked by a period of intense drug rehabilitation, with Tyler completing a successful program in 1986 after an intervention by his bandmates and manager Tim Collins. The band signed with Geffen Records and began working on a comeback, releasing the album Done with Mirrors in 1985, which went gold but failed to produce a hit single. The true catalyst for their resurgence came in 1986 with an unprecedented collaboration with the rap group Run, D.M.C. on a cover of their 1975 song Walk This Way. The track, which blended rock and roll with hip hop, reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced Aerosmith's music to a new generation, effectively resurrecting their career. The music video for the song, which featured the band and Run, D.M.C. performing together, became a frequent rotation on MTV, helping to bridge the gap between rock and hip hop audiences. Despite their renewed popularity, the band members' drug problems remained a significant obstacle, and it was not until they all completed drug rehabilitation programs that they were able to fully commit to their comeback. The album Permanent Vacation, released in 1987, became a major hit, selling five million copies in the US and producing three Top 20 singles: Dude (Looks Like a Lady), Angel, and Rag Doll. This album marked the first one the band had ever done sober, and its success was attributed to the production of Bruce Fairbairn and the use of outside songwriters such as Desmond Child, Jim Vallance, and Holly Knight. The band's subsequent album, Pump, released in 1989, was even more successful, selling seven million copies and spawning several music videos that were in regular rotation on MTV. The band won its first Grammy Award for Janie's Got a Gun, and the album was ranked as one of the 100 greatest videos of all time by Rolling Stone, MTV, and VH1.
The Power Ballad Era
Throughout the 1990s, Aerosmith continued to dominate the charts with a string of multi-platinum albums, including Get a Grip in 1993 and Nine Lives in 1997, while embarking on their most extensive concert tours to date. Get a Grip became their first album to debut at number 1, racking up sales of seven million copies in the US and over 20 million copies worldwide. The album featured hard-rocking singles like Livin' on the Edge and Eat the Rich, as well as power ballads such as Cryin', Amazing, and Crazy, which proved to be huge successes on radio and MTV. The music videos for these songs featured then up-and-coming actress Alicia Silverstone, who earned the title of the Aerosmith chick for the first half of the decade. Steven Tyler's daughter, Liv Tyler, was also featured in the Crazy video, further cementing the band's connection to Hollywood. The band won two Grammy Awards for songs from this album, and their grueling 18-month world tour in support of Get a Grip was one of the most extensive in rock history. The band also appeared in the movie Wayne's World 2 and their music was featured in video games such as Revolution X and Quest for Fame. The album Nine Lives, released in 1997, was initially plagued by mixed reviews and chart struggles, but it eventually sold double platinum in the US, fueled by singles such as Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees), Hole in My Soul, and the crossover-pop smash Pink. The Nine Lives Tour was marred by various incidents, including Tyler injuring his leg at a concert and Joey Kramer suffering second-degree burns when his car caught fire at a gas station. In 1998, the band released the single I Don't Want to Miss a Thing, a love theme written by Diane Warren for the film Armageddon, which became their first and only number 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. The song stayed on top of the charts for four weeks and was nominated for an Academy Award, helping to open Aerosmith up to a new generation of fans. The band also contributed the song Angel's Eye to the 2000 film Charlie's Angels and was chosen to be featured in the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, providing the ride's soundtrack and theme at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Paris.
The Kings of Rock and Pop
Entering the new millennium, Aerosmith solidified their status as one of the most successful bands in history by co-headlining the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show in 2001, performing alongside NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly. The band released their 13th studio album, Just Push Play, in March 2001, which quickly went platinum and was fueled by the Top 10 single Jaded. Later that year, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, becoming the only band to be inducted with a song active in the charts. The band also performed at the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert in Washington D.C. for 9/11 victims and their families, and released a two-disc career-spanning compilation, O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits, which featured the new single Girls of Summer. The band's influence continued to grow, with performances by Pink, Shakira, Kid Rock, Train, and Papa Roach covering their songs at the MTV Icon award ceremony in 2002. The band's legacy was further cemented with the release of the video game Guitar Hero: Aerosmith in 2008, which became the best-selling band-centric video game of all time. The band also released a blues album, Honkin' on Bobo, in 2004, which marked a return to their roots and was recorded in live sessions with former producer Jack Douglas. The band's touring schedule remained active, with the Route of All Evil Tour with Mötley Crüe in 2006, which was marred by health issues for both Tyler and bassist Tom Hamilton, who underwent treatment for throat cancer. The band's resilience was evident in their ability to continue performing despite these challenges, and their commitment to their fans remained unwavering.
The Long Goodbye
In the years leading up to their retirement, Aerosmith faced a series of health issues and personal challenges that tested the band's longevity. Joe Perry suffered a cardiac arrest while performing with the Hollywood Vampires in 2016, and Tyler's throat surgery in 2006 led to the cancellation of several tour dates. The band also experienced tensions between Tyler and Perry, particularly after Tyler accepted an offer to be a judge on American Idol, which Perry criticized for not consulting the rest of the band. Despite these challenges, the band continued to tour and release music, with the album Music from Another Dimension! released in 2012. The band's final tour, the Deuces Are Wild residency in Las Vegas, ran from 2019 to 2022, and was interrupted from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, Tyler suffered a vocal injury during the third date of their farewell tour and failed to recover, leading to the band's retirement from touring in 2024. The band still occasionally plays one-off shows and has not ruled out recording new music, but their era as a touring act has come to an end. The band's legacy, however, remains intact, with over 150 million records sold worldwide and a string of multi-platinum albums that have earned them 25 gold, 18 platinum, and 12 multi-platinum certifications. Aerosmith holds the record for the most total certifications by an American group and is tied for the most multi-platinum albums by an American group. The band has achieved 21 Top 40 hits on the US Hot 100, nine number 1 Mainstream Rock hits, four Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, and 10 MTV Video Music Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and Tyler and Perry were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013. The band received the MusiCares Person of the Year award in 2020, and their impact on the music industry continues to be felt by artists around the world.